DRUGMAKERS LAUNCH TOGETHER Rx CARD FOR UNINSURED

A coalition of 10 large pharmaceutical firms has launched a discount card program that could help millions of uninsured Americans save about 25 to 40 percent on commonly used prescription drugs.

The Together Rx Access Card program provides savings on more than 275 brand drug products, according to the firms that unveiled the card in Washington, D.C. The program is open to roughly 36 million uninsured Americans who meet income and age eligibility requirements.

Participating firms include Abbott Laboratories, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen Pharmaceutica, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Novartis, Pfizer, the Sanofi-Aventis Group, Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America and TAP Pharmaceutical Products.

Drugs in the program include those for diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, cancer, allergy, asthma, arthritis and depression. People applying for the Together Rx program automatically will be notified if they are eligible for further savings -- and in some cases free medicines -- through the firms' own prescription drug plans, according to the program.